The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-11-05


Of his voice; and Jim laughed loud and long.
"Hai hal hal" he roared, slappng his
leg as II well pleased. "Pll stay and take
two or three meals with you, rest upa bit,
and then Pll walk out OF your confounded
shanty."
He really meant what he said, but John
Granger had contrary ideas on the subject
Of his walking out. He knew the man,
realized what desperate villain he was,
and proposed to keep an eye on him.
The next day after wildcat Jim came
in, arrived at the jail to pay my relatives
a visit. My parents were living in town
about dozen miles away, and had per-
mission to remain as long as might suit
me. l was then about nine years old, and
did not know, and could not be made fully
to understand, the character Of the pris-
oners In the cells. While ! was allowed
full liberty to roam about the building
alone, even to going down to the main hall,
was cautioned by both grandmother and
Granger not to hold any conversation with
the prisoners, much less to pass any article
to them through the grated door.
II was Granger's habit to allow the pris-
oners the freedom of their corridor during
| the day, the men walking up and down,
| reading novels, playing cards, and passing
| the time as they liked best There was but
| one small window in the corridor, the walls
were very massive, the door firm, and
| there was no danger Wildcat Jim was
| not allowed to leave his cell ut first, Gran
ger knowing that he would attempt to take
| some advantage Of the favor. But after a
week had passed away without sign that
the villain had hope Of leaving the place,
his appeals were listened to by my grand
father, who persuaded Granger into throw
| ing open the cell door
HE may not be so bad as people make
out" remarked Josiah, who always pitied
where others condemned. "And II he is rs
desperate devil as you say he is, do not
see how he can do any mischief"
Therefore, Jim's cell door was unlocked,
and he was allowed to mingle with the rest.
AS grandfather said nothing in opposition,
Granger insisted that the villain should
continue to wear his shackles, which were
of course, something Of safeguard against
his escaping. He seemed to have no care
whether the shackles were on or off, hav
| ng assumed the role Of a penitent, declaring
his intention to reform.
"Look out for that man, John Granger!'
cautioned my grandmother, as she looked
through the door and caught glance from
the desperado.
The man had been in Jail about ten days
and his conduct 80 far had been all that
could be desired. Granger believed that he
was plotting mischief, grandfather thought
him much abused man, and grandmother
gave no opinion. One Monday morning II
became necessary for Granger to mako q
days journey into another county, and this
would leave no one but my two relatives as
q guard My grandfather was cautioned
to look out, as the prisoners might attempt
an insurrection and an escapade; and, for
L n p1nr. h ,;,rv io,,
He had two revolvers and two rifles in the
Jail, and he loaded thom all. One of the
revolvers he put into his pocket, and the
other arms were left in the sitting-room.
During the forenoon it was discovered
that the corridor door was out Of order, and
| grandfather set to work to fix 1t. Taking
| o small saw, two files and hammer, he
went at the difficulty, and soon had the dool
in repair When through, he placed the
tools on stool in the hall, and went about
his work, leaving them there.
Near the middle Of the afternoon, having
seen that every thing was all quiet with the
prisoners, Josiah lay down for nap, tell
ing his wife to take an occasional look init
the hall. Left to myself, I wandered int,
the hall, and, boylike, began using tn,
tools. The attention Of the prisoners wa
soon attracted, and q voice called me to tn,
door,
"Bub do you want q whole pound o
candy!" inquired Jim, smiling and trying
to look sweet.
OF course did; whoever saw boy thai
didn'ts l had entirely forgotten the oft
repeated warning not to talk with the pris
oners, and leaned against the door, il
hopes to see the candy.
"Well, sonny" continued Jim, ''if 70,
will be good boy, you shall have all tn
candy you can carry. You see, you are to
small u boy to have those tools, and if you
grandfather knew of it, he would whip yo
to death. Just hand them to me through
the door. and then he won't know that yol
have been dulling them. And besides, III
go down town tomorrow and get you al
the candy you can eat"
hesitated for q time, but convinced tina
my grandfather would scold, if not whip
and being bribed by the candy bait, passe,
in the tools. yet remember how the pris
J oners crowded around Jim, shook hands
laughed and danced, but did not then se
any occasion for their demonstrations
, SNOW, bub," said Jim, returning to tn
door, ''you have completely spoiled thes
J tools, and your grandfather will skin yo,
and hang your hide on the fence If he find
, 1t out. If he asks you where they went to
: tell him you don't know"
!, never had had cause to fear either o
, my kind.hearted relatives, but Jims word
, really frightened me. He made furthe
: promises about the candy, and I flnall,
went away to the sitting-room, determines
to tell grandfather lie if he asked m
, about the articles.
But he did not ask 3 He went about hi
duties, after his nap, without once thinking
, Of the tools, and 80 !, Of course, did no
, broach the subject. Granger did not re
, turn at night, as intended, but word cam
! from him that it would take another day t
, conclude his business.
"As you will be alone oil night" the not
, read, 'let me warn you again to look ou
for Wildcat Jim. He will take this or
portunity to make you trouble"
"Pooh! pooh!" replied my grandfather
as he read the note; "Grauger Is YER
active officer, but he is regular old woma
/ with his whims. guess sha'n't hav
, any trouble with Jim."
And the guess was as correct as hi
guesses usually were.
, Tho night wore away without any dis
, turbance to create alarm. Josiah had take
pains to see that the locks, doors and bar
were oil right, and he slept as soundly as
, soldier. Each man had been locked in hi
+ cell, and the corridor door was mountai
, in the path Of any attempted escape.
| 'Josiah," said Prudence, as we wer
t seated at breakfast, "did you hear any nois
during the night"
. "Not 80 much as the sigh of q mouse" n
piled Josiah. ut was remarkably sti